Eichard flachs



(No Model.) 2 Sheets -Sheet 1.

R. PLACES. VELOUIPEDE- I 2 sheets sheet 2; R. PLAGHS. VELOGIPEDE (NoModel.)

Patented Sept. 23. 1890..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' RICHARD FLACHS, OF OBERLUSSNITZRADEBEUL, NEAR DRESDEN,

GERMANY.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,026, datedSeptember 23, 1890. Application filed May 1 1890. Serial No. 350,210.(No model.)

in the Kingdom of Saxony, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Velocipedes; and I do hereby declare the following to beafull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

This invention relates to four-wheeled velocipedes having two forwardguiding-wheels, and has for its object to provide a simple andconvenient means for causing the two guiding-wheels to move in properrelation to each other in turhing the vehicle without liability oftilting it over.

It is also another purpose of my invention to provide means fordetachably connecting two' bicycles in such a way as to formafourwheeled Velocip'ede and yet permit them to be disconnected and usedseparately, if desired.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts,hereinafter describedand claimed.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is a sideView of avelocipede composed of two Safety bicycles coupled together toform a four-wheeled machine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of theguidingwheels and their coupling-connections and the saddle-supports andtheir coupling-bar. Fig. 3 is a plan of the coupling mechanism for theforks of the guiding-wheels, for the saddle-supports, and for the axlesof the drivingwheels. Fig. 4 is a plan, and Fig. 5 a front elevation, onan enlarged scale, of the central portion of the coupling-connectionsfor the forks of the front of guiding-wheels.

Referring to the drawings, the referencenumeral 1 designates the rear ordriving wheel, and 2 the front or guiding wheel of an ordinary so-calledSafety bicycle.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide detachable couplings forconnecting two of these bicycles side by side to form a fourwheeledmachine or sociable, in which the guiding-wheels can be controlled insuch a manner as to be capable of turning together in proper relation toeach other on curves of short or long radius without liability oftilting over the machine.

According to my invention the two bicycles are connected side by side aconvenient distance apart by means of detachable couplingbars in'such amanner that if desired they can be disconnected and used separately. Theaxles 3 of the two driving-wheels are connected by a detachablecoupling-bar 4, having at each end a stirrup-shaped yoke 5, that isperforated to receive the end of the axle to which it is attached bymeans of a nut 6, as shown inFig. 3. The saddle-supports 7 are connectedin a similar manner by a detachable coupling-bar 8, provided at its endswith clips 9, that are adapted to embrace the sad dle-supports. In asimilar manner the forward ends of the backbones 10 are connected by adetachable coupling-bar 11, having clips 12 on its ends.

On the center of the forward coupling-bar 11 is secured a sleeve 13,provided with an angle-plate or knee 14, which projects downward fromsaid sleeve and then horizontally forward. In the forward projectinghorizontal portion of the angle-plate or knee 14 is an arc slot 15,having its ends curved forward, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This are slot15 receives a vertical guide-pin 16, Figs. 2 and 5, which connects aboveand below said slot with the inner ends of toggle-links 17, the outerends of which extend obliquely forward and are pivotally connected withthe forward ends of arms 18, that are removably attached by clips 19 tothe necks 20 of the guidingwheel forks. The links 17 are preferablyprovided in pairs that connect, respectively, with the upper and lowerends of the guidepin 16, as shown in Figs. '2 and 5, to equalize thedraft on said pin. The links of one side have their inner ends spreadapart, as shown, to receive the inner ends of the links of the otherside, and, if desired, each link may have a series of holes to providean adjustable connection with the guide-pin 16, to vary the lengths ofsaid links to variations in the distance between the guiding-wheels.

It is obvious that by means of the forwardlycurved arc slot 15, theguide-pin 16, engaged IOO therewith, and the toggle-links 17, that c011-nect said pin with the guiding-wheel forks, the guiding-wheels will movein proper relation to each other in turning a curve, so that there willbe no liability of tilting over the machine even when making a shortturn. \Vhen turning the machine either to the right or left, theguide-pin 16 is drawn toward the pivotal wheel and at the same timemoves slightly forward in the corresponding end of the arc slot 15; butas the pivotal wheel moves on a shorter circle than the outerguidingwheel the two guidingavheels will assume a greater distance apartat the front than at their rear, which is permitted by the usual pivotalconnection of the fork-necks 20 with the backbones, and the machine willbe readily turned without dragging of either wheel and with no liabilityof tilting over. This result is of course facilitated by the flexible orpivotal connection of the oblique links 17 with the guide-pin 16 andwith the arms 18 on the fork-necks of the guiding-wheels.

In order to render unnecessary a continual guidance of the two guiding-wheels, two sprin -stops 21, Figs. at and 5, are secured to thevertical portion of the angle-plate 14 in such position that their freeends will project forward and toward each other and impinge on a boss orenlargement 22 on the upper end of the guide-pin 16, thereby holding thesame fast and causing the guide-wheels to maintain a forward movementuntil said wheels are turned to the right or left in guiding themachine, when the springs will yield to per mit the required movement ofthe guide-pin. If desired, the guide-pin 16 may be surrounded withan'anti-friction sleeve to obviate wear.

It is obvious that the herein-described guiding apparatus is not onlyapplicable to a machine composed of two bicycles coupled side by side,but to any velocipede having two guiding-wheels.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. The combination, in a four-wheeledvelocipede, of the two backbones, the two rear axles, the twoguiding-wheel forks, the two saddle-supports, the detachablecoupling-bars connecting the rear axles, the saddle-supports and thebackbones of the opposite sides, the forward projecting arms mounted onthe necks of the guiding-wheel forks, the angle-plate mounted on theforward coupling-bar and provided with. the arc slot, the guide-pinengaged in said slot, and the toggle-links connecting said guide-pinwith the arms 011 the guidingwheel forks, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a four-wheeled velocipede having twoguiding-wheels and a forward coupling-bar, of a plate mounted on saidbar and provided with an arc slot, avertical guide-pin engaged in saidslot, and toggle-links that connect said guide-pin with the forks of thetwoguiding-wheels, substantially as described. V

3. The combination, in a four-Wheeled velocipede having twoguiding-wheels and a forward coupling-bar, of a plate mounted on saidbar-and provided with an arc slot, a guidepin engaged in said slot,toggle-links that connect said guide-pins with arms on the forks of thetwo guiding-wheels, and spring-stops to engage and hold the guide-pin,substantially as described.

4. The combination, in a four-wheeled Velocipede having twoguiding-wheels, of detachable coupling-bars for connecting the oppositesides of the machine, a plate mounted on the forward coupling-bar andprovided with an arc slot, a guide-pin engaged in said slot, links thatconnect said guide-pin with the forks of the guiding-wheels, andspringstops to engage and hold the guide-pin, substantially asdescribed. p

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD FLAOHS.

Witnesses: v

PAUL DRUCKMU'LLER, CARL FR. KEIoHETT.

